Is there a better way to move around and view a big scene?
Since 2.70 there is a walk mode (like a game). Press Shift F to enter walk mode. Then use either WASD or the arrow keys to walk and the mouse to look around. 

To speed up walk mode.


during walk mode you can point the mouse cross hairs at any object and press space to teleport there. (I find it really neat)
holding shift will speed up any of the movements.
NumPad + or Mouse-Wheel up to increase the movement speed for that one time, when you exit walk mode the speed goes back to what it is set at (see next point). There is no feed back to changing the speed, just hold the button for a bit. Likewise NumPad - and Mouse-Wheel scrolling down will decrease the speed.
If you want to make any lasting speed changes you can go the the user preferences, on the input tab down on the left is a section for the walk mode entitled View Navigation. Change the Walk Speed, also the Speed Factor is how much holding shift or alt will change the speed.




If you want to zoom right in on any object or objects with NumPad . you can select the objects in the 3D view, you do not have to select them in the Outliner.